Lorenzo Banchero could be forgiven for taking things easy at the age of 80. But Italy’s leading shipbroker instead has shunned a quiet life to oversee the next stage of growth at Genoa-based shipbroker Banchero Costa (Bancosta).

The president and founder of Italy’s biggest broker is generally regarded as the patriarch of the Italian shipbroking sector.

His easy and self-deprecating manner has won him many friends.